Unless the Los Angeles Kings can shift the timeline, history seems doomed to repeat itself. For the past three seasons, the Kings have faced the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the playoffs—and every time, the Oilers have come out on top. Each year, the Kings have entered as the third seed in the Pacific Division, while the Oilers held the second seed. And guess what? As of right now, March 18, 2025, the standings look eerily familiar: Kings in third, Oilers in second. But there’s one glaring difference this season that could change everything.
A Chance to Flip the Script
The Kings are just one point behind the Oilers in the standings, with a game in hand. In simple terms, one win could vault them into the second seed, snagging home-ice advantage—a luxury they’ve been denied in their last three playoff clashes with Edmonton. For Kings fans, this is a golden opportunity to rewrite the narrative.
Defensive Dominance
LA’s defense is a brick wall this season. They lead the league with the fewest goals against, allowing just 113 so far. They also top the charts in expected goals against at a stingy 2.09 and hold first place in limiting shots against—the lowest in the NHL. This isn’t just good; it’s elite. If anyone can stifle Edmonton’s high-powered offense, it’s this blue line.
Kuemper’s Vintage Revival
The Kings’ netminder, Darcy Kuemper, is turning back the clock with a stellar campaign. His 2.16 goals-against average (GAA) ranks second only to Connor Hellebuyck, and his .918 save percentage ties for third league-wide. With goaltending like this, LA has a backbone strong enough to carry them deep.
The Offense: A Weak Link?
Here’s where the good news stalls. The Kings’ offense isn’t exactly lighting the lamp. They’ve slipped into a slump, dropping to 15th in the league in goals scored—not a powerhouse by any stretch. They’re also 13th in expected goals for. With defense and goaltending this solid, the Kings have stayed near the top of the NHL standings, but their middling attack could be their Achilles’ heel.
The Sharks Factor
Unfortunately, the Oilers might not be the biggest obstacle to LA seizing that second seed. Enter the San Jose Sharks. While both the Kings and Oilers face tough matchups down the stretch, Edmonton has three remaining games against the lowly Sharks—a team struggling at the bottom of the standings. Those games could pad the Oilers’ point total just enough to hold onto second place and keep home-ice advantage in the playoffs.
The Verdict
So, here we are again: Kings vs. Oilers, Round Four. Unless LA’s superior defense and revitalized goaltending can neutralize Connor McDavid and company—something they couldn’t quite manage in seasons past—this playoff rerun might end the same way. The Kings have the tools to slay their demons and break this cycle, but it’ll take more than a stout back end. They’ll need their offense to wake up and seize the moment. Only time will tell if this is a new chapter or just another Groundhog Day.
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